NFL Playoffs: Is Seattle the team no one wants to face?

The Seattle Seahawks have certainly put together an impressive season. Finishing the 2012 regular season with an 11-5 record, they have combined their solid offense and strong defense with good special teams play. The only team to remain undefeated at home this season, the Seahawks will head to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Redskins in a NFC Wild Card playoff game.

From scoring 150 points in a three-game span against the Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers to showcasing their impressive defense against the likes of the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots and New York Jets, the Seahawks are definitely a dangerous team in the playoffs. That being said, they will not be the most feared team in the playoffs due to their path to the Super Bowl.

First off, their first opponent in the playoffs is no slouch themselves. The Redskins, winner of seven-straight games, have put together an amazing second-half run to win the NFC East. Russell Wilson and the Seahawks will have their hands full with a tough test against a team featuring their own rookie quarterback. With Robert Griffin III, Alfred Morris and company, their read-option attack has been effective all season long.

That being said, their biggest hurdle comes in the form of their placement in the NFC playoffs as the No. 5 seed. On the road this week against the Redskins, they’ll be the visiting team once again against the 49ers or Atlanta Falcons if they can earn a victory. Seattle will only host a playoff game this year if the Minnesota Vikings find themselves in the NFC Championship Game. A daunting team at home, their potential road through the playoffs will likely occur exclusively on the road, making the Seahawks a much less-dangerous team.

Austin Chang is a staff writer for Sports Out West and a San Francisco Bay Area-based sports journalist. His work can also be found on Yahoo! Sports and Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @_austinchang.

Austin Chang

Austin Chang is the Associate Editor of Sports Out West and a San Francisco Bay Area-based sports journalist. His work can also be found on Yahoo! Sports and RamsTalk. Follow him on Twitter @_austinchang.